CRITIQUES

"A wonderful addition to a fine music season ... The latest delight was yesterday afternoon's "Noël baroque", a collaboration between Seventeen Voyces and the baroque ensemble La Favoritte. ... [including] a Canadian premiere edited from a copy of Charpentier's manuscript [of the Pastorale pour la Naissance de Notre Seigneur Jésus Christe] by the Ottawa early music specialist Barbara Zuchowicz. La Favoritte provided interludes to the Mass in the form of motets collected from the Ursuline Archives in Quebec. The three musicians work well together, producing an intimate, expressive sound that suits their early repertoire beautifully. . . . Maisonneuve was also the principal soloist in the Charpentier works and a most welcome soloist she was. Her clear voice and her comfort with the composer's musical vocabulary were unfailing sources of pleasure. "
Richard Todd, Ottawa Citizen.

"C'est le soprano Lise Maisonneuve qui a été la vedette de la soirée: sa voix claire aux harmoniques suaves, parfaitement soutenue, un ton just dans l'interpretation ont permis une mise en perspective vivante de texte et de musique."
Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer, Le Droit.

"Maisonneuve sang with the lightness of a butterfly; she shows both power and range . . . Maisonneuve stunned the audience with her performance of Ave Maria by Franz Schubert . . . (she) brought a professional attention to pacing as well as evident emotion to this masterpiece of music."
Robert Thompson, The Daily Press.

"Par un jeu précis, sensible, [Madeleine Owen] apporte à l'ensemble un courant frais."
Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer, Le Droit.

"Those fortunate souls heard music that was every bit as good, as stirring, and as expertly executed as the [main] Festival Performances ... La Favoritte included two interesting cantatas by Jacquet de la Guerre. In keeping with the origin of [the] music, La Favoritte played in, and filled, the grand hall in the French Library on Marlborough Street."
Gary Freeman, Report from the Boston Early Music Festival 2003, Early Music Magazine, Vol.9, No.3.

"Your concert was excellent and the applause that brought on the encore indicated the audience's satisfaction . . . we look forward to your return next year."
Bob Jones, St. Luke's Recital Series 2001-2002.

"I particularly liked the Bach Suite. The interpretation was very musical and satisfying. Thanks again for contributing to the success of our series."
Bob Jones, St. Luke's Recital Series 2001-2002.

"Ms.Maisonneuve sang [the Elizabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre cantata, Joseph,] with great expressivity. I especially enjoyed the final aria "Lorsque le piège est agréable". All three performers were excellent musicians."
John R. Pierce, online music journal (johnrpierce.com) at the Boston Early Music Festival 2003.